Seeing as every Star Wars game since EA took over exclusive licensing has been multiplayer, you’d assume Jedi Fallen Order would be too. Though it’s a story-based game, Jedi Fallen Order multiplayer could be co-op or even split-screen.
EA and Respawn Entertainment’s anticipated Star Wars adventure is releasing on PC, PS4, and Xbox One on November 15. Science fiction fans the world over are undoubtedly excited to get their hands on the new title, but is it one that can be enjoyed online and/or locally with friends? Whether or not you can play Jedi Fallen Order’s campaign co-op will be a make or break point for some people. So, can you play the game with a friend, or do you have to go it Han Solo? Here’s what you need to know about Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order co-op.
Does Jedi Fallen Order have multiplayer co-op or split-screen?
Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order is single-player only and features no multiplayer components. There’s, unfortunately, no co-op campaign, and no split-screen gun to be had here. The story has a heavy focus on going it alone as one of the last surviving Jedi. The game takes place shortly after the execution of Order 66 at the end of Revenge of the Sith, and Cal Kestis, the protagonist, is very much alone in his struggle.
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Though he is assisted by the crew of The Mantis, Cal is the only character of the bunch who can currently utilize the Force. As such, it wouldn’t make much sense for Jedi Fallen Order to have multiplayer, especially of the co-op variety. Split-screen might work in the game with one player controlling BD-1 and the other playing as Cal. However, BD-1 mostly just rides around on Cal’s back, so that would be pretty boring.
This does mean that, unfortunately, anybody looking to wield a lightsaber alongside their friends is out of luck on this occasion. There will be no local or online cooperative play in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order at launch and no plans have been announced to implement any form of co-op in the future.
The same goes for competitive multiplayer, as that will be absent too. It appears as though EA could be positioning Jedi: Fallen Order as a wholly single-player game in order to counter fan backlash surrounding their Star Wars Battlefront series. Those games head in the opposite direction, often neglecting single-player campaign content in order to focus on the multiplayer suite, much to the chagrin of those that enjoy Star Wars for its epic galactic narratives.
The story itself is pretty engaging, so I can understand why Respawn Entertainment decided to keep it single-player. A major theme of the plot is Cal’s feelings of isolation after the destruction of the Jedi Order, and how they affect his outlook on life and the future of the galaxy. It’d be hard to get into that mindset with a co-op campaign, and as such, you’ll have to turn to Battlefront to get your Star Wars multiplayer fix.
Now, EA is providing something for both camps in the form of two different games entirely. It’s possible that players might receive the best of both worlds in a future Star Wars title, though for now, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order co-op is out of the question and the game can only be enjoyed solo.
